In celebration of the life and work of Nelson Mandela, Leeds City Council commissioned Celebrate Mandela, a week-long series of arts and cultural events in April

Held across Leeds from April 24–30 2014, Celebrate Mandela marked a city wide celebration of the values and inspiration at the heart of Nelson Mandela’s phenomenal achievements. The aim of the week was to help to ensure that his impact lives on in the hearts, minds and actions of a city shaped by culture, diversity and heritage. Most importantly they will also contribute to sharing that story with young people so that his legacy and values live on in Leeds for generations to come.

Leeds has so much to celebrate about its very special relationship with Nelson Mandela and the people of South Africa. From the unforgettable day in 2001 when thousands gathered in Millennium Square to hear his thanks for our city’s role in the international anti-apartheid movement, to twinning with Durban. From the impact Mandela had on individuals, to civic gestures like the Freedom of the City, we want to celebrate his legacy and the milestones.

A cultural event held at St. Mary's Menston was the visit of International Artist Nils Burwitz to St. Mary's for a Workshop.

Nelson Mandela Quotes

Mr Geldart has curated some powerful Nelson Mandela quotes for our school community to reflect on. There is a colourful large-scale display with them on near our Performing Arts Studio (room H7)

"I am not a Saint, I am a sinner who just keeps trying.”

"No-one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”(at his trial in 1964)

"Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace."

"Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. It breaks down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand.”

"Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.”

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.”